A common statement that we have all probably heard is, “The United States is a melting pot.” But that doesn’t really seem right if you think of what a melting pot does and what its contents looks like. A melting pot melts down everything in it into one single entity. I picture a glutinous unicolored mass. Not an attractive site at all.
If I have said that word once, I probably said it thousands of times during my thirty-five-year career as a Spanish teacher. The results varied each time the word was uttered in either language. When I was asked to write an article on communication for this issue of the TAU-USA, I looked back at the many articles (most recently, a 2023 issue) and presentations I’ve given on the topic. An integral part of those sharings has been listening, which will be the main focus here.
Regional Roundup In this issue, five of the 30 regions are highlighted - St. Thomas More Region, St. Kateri Tekakwitha Region, Troubadours of Peace, St. Joan of Arc Region, St. Junipero Serra Region.
It has been said that our Secular Franciscan Order is one of the “best kept secrets” of the Church. Well, another “best kept secret” is where all our very important and valuable documents are stored . . . and who stores them.
A Jubilee is an occasion in which Catholics can seek grace and holiness in a particular way. The name derives from the instrument used to mark its launch—the yobel, or ram’s horn—and proclaim the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) by the ancient Jewish people. Today, Jews celebrate the feast every year, though in the Bible, a Jubilee was to be observed every 50 years. (See Leviticus 25:8-13.) In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus makes clear his own mission to bring “Jubilee.” In the synagogue at Nazareth, he reads from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, proclaiming a year of the Lord’s favor. (See Luke 4:18-19; 21.)
“You are love” was the theme of the 17th General Chapter of the Secular Franciscan Order held in Rome in November of 2024 during the 8th Centenary of the Stigmata. This idea was expanded upon by fellow Franciscans with explanations that God loved us first. Our Franciscan way of life begins with love. Love of God, love of self, and love of neighbors and our families. Testimonies and examples were shared. Our level of concern was elevated for struggling fraternities and for marginalized people throughout the world.
I’m writing this article in the wake of another school shooting, this time in Wisconsin. On the morning after, I heard one young woman outside of Mass say to her mom, “I thought we were supposed to ‘Do what’s right and just.’” Her mom simply put an arm around her shoulders and continued walking to their car. I didn’t hear her response, but said a quick prayer that the mother would know what words would comfort her daughter and give her hope.
We can probably agree that “the Church’s best kept secret” is not the most desirable nickname for the Secular Franciscan Order. As a regional vice minister, I was asked to initiate a “vocations ministry” a few years ago. This resulted in a handbook which referenced the national Vocations Toolkit along with best practices from around St. Elizabeth of Hungary region.
“We once had a spiritual assistant who said it’s all about the personal invitation – holding the door open and inviting people in,” said Ellen Ferrone, OFS, minister of the Brothers and Sisters of St. Francis Region. “He stressed guiding them to a place where their spirit might grow,” said Ellen.
Alexander Pope wrote, "Hope springs eternal in the human breast.” People, especially Franciscans, always hold on to hope, even in difficult times. It is part of human nature and a virtue. These lovely words speak the truth that it is God who plants hope in the human heart. ...